Herzog Enters Race for Labor Leadership

MKs Cabel and Margalit announced their support for the candidacy of Yitzhak Herzog for leadership of the party.

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Kochava Rozenbaum , 26/08/13 12:49

Yitzhak Herzog

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Member of Knesset Yitzhak Herzog announced, Monday morning, that he will run against MK Shelly Yachimovich for leadership of the Labor party, in a primary election scheduled for November 21st.

During the press conference, he announced, “I came here today to announce my candidacy for leadership of the Labor Party, on November 21st.” He added, “We decided to join forces because we understand that the Labor Party needs new leadership.”

“Shelly is not an alternative to the government of Netanyahu, Lapid, and Bennett. Together with my associates, we will win,” Herzog said assuredly.

During the former minister's press conference, MK Eitan Cabel announced that he will not run against Herzog, but will instead support his candidacy for chairman of the party.

“When we decided to join forces and support Herzog,” Cabel said, “I came to the realization that with Shelly, we would have a ‘glass ceiling’ we could not break through. The Labor Party has become a closed Party of 15 seats, a huge accomplishment for her.”

After Cabel spoke, MK Erel Margalit also withdrew his candidacy, and announced that he would be supporting Herzog as well. “Yitzhak is a person who brings a clear political and socio-economic approach. Ultimately, the most important thing is that Herzog knows how to unite us,” said Margalit.

Yesterday, Yachimovich’s team submitted forms in order to run for leadership of the Labor Party. Yachimovich has since called Herzog a worthy opponent, saying, "Internal democratic competition for the leadership of a party has become a rare event indeed in the political landscape of sole rulers, but it is the lifeblood of modern democracy, we are proud of it, and we will conduct clean and honest elections."